There is a day that sticks in my memory as the "banana peel" day. It was shortly after Ava started potty training and it was as if she had entered this totally new mindset that she can do ANYTHING. And I mean that in a good way. It was like a tangible change I could see in her as she was aware of her own autonomy. And some psychologist I studied in college said this was bound to happen, because she is 2 after all.
I gave her a banana that I had started to peel just a little. I wasn't really thinking about it. Then I heard her say, "I peels my owns nana, Mommy!" And she had. She was so excited. I kid you not that I heard that same phrase no less than 40 times that day. And then all of the sudden she was asking to do all kinds of things. And she would use this phrasing, "Teach me". Like "teach me how my buckles, mommy" (Asking me to teach her how to do the buckles in her car seat). Everything was "Teach me..." And she would add on "I peels my owns nana", like if she could do that, she could do anything.
Anyway, that day was precious to me and I don't know if my lame explanation really illustrates it. But it was a milestone in my mind. I'm just a mushy mom, I know. But then earlier this week, Luke was sad in the car as we were driving. I was singing to him, and went through my usual repertoire. Then I thought I should sing some hymns. I did "I am a child of God" and then I did "Teach me to walk in the Light".
When I was telling Dan about this, he said, "You cried, didn't you?" Umm, Yes, because I am a mushy mom. It was as I sang those words "Teach me..." that I thought of the banana peel day. I thought of Ava and how she wants to learn and grow. And I thought about my job as her mother, to teach her ABC's and her 123's but also to teach her to "walk in the light".
And oh, miss Ava has discovered her nostrils this week. She was snuffing and wiggling her nose and said she needed to blow it. I held out the tissue and waited cause she really is not too great of a blower but would you believe it, she blew and a 2 inch long piece of ramen noodle came out. We had a little talk about not sticking stuff up your nose and I forgot all about it. Then a few days later I come home and Dan tells me that she asked him to blow her nose, she couldn't do it, and then a few minutes later she sneezed out a big old piece of cheese. Then he had a talk with her. Then I had another talk with her. Each time she politely agreed that was a no-no. But tonight, I watched her as she almost put a small piece of popcorn up there! It was almost subconscious, I think. But I'm now afraid to leave her and her food alone in the same room!
Dan has orchestrated this event the last 2 weeks at our house. Sunday-Night-Popcorn-on-a -Blanket-in-the-Living-Room.
Pretty fun, huh? At least Ava thinks so.
2 comments:
Be prepared to get kidded about being a "mushy mom". But really, your family will always love you for being a "mushy mom" and wouldn't want you any other way.
Those milestones will keep on coming - and they'll get you every time. I love how Dan jsut says "You cried, didn't you?"
Wow - watch out for Ava and the nose thing! Noodles, cheese and popcorn will cause one heck of a sinus infection.
Post a Comment